BY Senushi Liyanaarachchi
An Extraordinary Gazette has been issued classifying health & electricity services as ‘essential services’ in an issued notification.
The Gazette extraordinaire has declared the supply of electricity, related services, petroleum products including fuel, as well as health services to fall under the essential services bracket.
Acting Presidential Secretary Chandanie Wijayawardhana issued the Gazette. Numbered 2349/44 and dated 17 September, which declaration exists as an effort to strengthen the aforementioned sectors and to establish their steady operation, providing ease to the public.
According to the Gazette, all services pertaining to the supply of electricity, supply or distribution of petroleum products, all work or labour services-necessary or relating to maintenance and care feeding have received the ‘essential service’ status.
Furthermore, treatment of patients; including those in hospitals, nursing homes, dispensaries and similar establishments have also been given the same title.
The Gazette Extraordinaire proclamation is by the powers vested in the President under Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act No. 61 of 1979.
This Gazette extraordinaire is the third in its nature to be issued within the last 6 months. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has, in the past issued the same Gazette notification.
